TC G-System

  • Thread starter Thread starter steve_k
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Former Axe-Fx Ultra owner; I had a TC Electronic Nova System, sold it; got a Line 6 M9 sold it after 8 months; got another Nova System. The Nova Drive has been my only/go to OD/Dist pedal, and digging the Nova System so much, I purchased th G-System earlier this year. It wasn't treated well be UPS, but it is only a small (less than 1/4") scratch, and it has the improved input buffer that was released initially only on the Limited Edition (red) version.

For in front of a clean tube amp (Fender) or a small direct board (Tech 21 Liverpool), the Nova System is great IMO.

I like the integrated, all-on-the-floor approach too. I'm working on a direct rig with the G-System, but a key component is backordered. I use the Nova Drive integrated with MIDI controlled by the G-System, and also use an EH Big Muff Pi with ToneWicker leaving me two open in-front of the amp effect slots. I also added an ebtech hum eliminator that has XLR in/outs so in addition to eliminating hum it works as a passive DI to go direct. My plan is to have a small grab and go direct board built around the Nova System, and a large direct board built around the G-System.

While I would not call the Nova System / G-System easy to use at first, there is a consistency to the approach that will pay off if you take your time to understand it. The TCE forums and Laird's white paper and his help on the forum for the G-System will get you sorted out set-up and configuration-wise - great resources. Best of all is the sound quality, the effects just blow me away, and I also like being able to separate my effects from my amps and modelers, and mix and match them however I want. Slowly, as time permits, I'm learning how the TC Electronic effects and controls work, and the software editor is very good. All of the effects sound good to me, even those I would not likely use. There is a wide range of settings if you like to tweak, but you can dial in great sounds without getting too deep.

My effects GAS is dead, and has been since I got my TCE kit, and I have more effects than I need at this point, all in MFX boxes that can fit different situations.

I'm very happy with my focused gear now: Guitars: Rickenbackers; Amps: Vox; Effects: TC Electronics.

I didn't want a red one, but that is a great price at PGS IMO. Still, the new silver ones have the updated input buffer as I mentioned, but is it worth $300 more for silver, unless you can get someplace to price match PGS?

My Nova System and G-System (and Nova Drive) are staying, and hopefully, TC isn't planning a newer model release of either for a few more years.

I highly recommend both/either depending on your needs. I never considered myself an effects guy, but the TC kit sounds so good, that is changing.

YMMV
 
[/quote]
Chris, can the G-System alone not switch all of your amp channels and pedals in/out? Is the RG-16 used because of the multiple amp setup? Thanks.[/quote]

The G can switch any 1/4 inch relay plugs or midi capable amps. My 5153 needs the RG 16 with it`s special cable as does my VHT UL.

I think you can have some special cables made but i`ve heard mixed results. Didn`t dick around, i went strait with the RG 16. I also use it as my pedal router for in front of the amp pedals.

Everything switches instantaneous.

Chris
 
hello there everyone! I need some help from y'all g system users! i ve got a 5150 amp head. the first version. and Im waiting for my g system to arrive home next week. in the meantime i go around reading stuff and learning how to use it. now... how would i go about pluggin this head to the g system for amp channel switching?? Ive read that some guy had the same amp and had big trouble with these two together. and the funny thing is that i have already paid for it!!

i appreciate your help!!!
 
I've heard of people selling these things because they couldn't get rid of the noise and others who say the noise is no issue in the 4CM. :confused: If you usr the 4CM can you place the delay where you want, meaning before or after the amp?
 
ScottKahn_Rack1109.jpg


I love the G-System. It is the brain that controls my entire rig -- rack tube gear, channel switching my power amp, controlling an RG-16 that has a bunch of pedals hidden behind the blank rack panel.

I use the five-cable hookup (like the 4 cable, but stereo returns instead of mono) and my ENGL Pro 412 cabinet in stereo.

The G-System is one part FX processor, one part MIDI foot controller, and one part loop/amp switcher. It's really unlike any other product on the market. Don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise. And if you read the extremely in-depth review I published at MusicPlayers.com, you'll get a very specific idea of how to hook it up and incorporate it into a modern rig.

http://www.musicplayers.com/reviews/guitars/2010/0110_TCelectronicGsystem.php

Scott
p.s. Laird's document is of great value for anyone hooking up a G-System in the 4-cable scenario.
 
some good info and nice rigs in this thread, been wanting one of these for a long time now, been contemplating it as my next purchase after a couple bills are paid.... anyone got any more experiences with it? I've heard about the noise issue as well.

Anyone run one with a single channel amp? any way to do this and run a direct signal into it for a clean w/fx?
 
scottkahn":3fvddunt said:
ScottKahn_Rack1109.jpg


I love the G-System. It is the brain that controls my entire rig -- rack tube gear, channel switching my power amp, controlling an RG-16 that has a bunch of pedals hidden behind the blank rack panel.

I use the five-cable hookup (like the 4 cable, but stereo returns instead of mono) and my ENGL Pro 412 cabinet in stereo.

The G-System is one part FX processor, one part MIDI foot controller, and one part loop/amp switcher. It's really unlike any other product on the market. Don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise. And if you read the extremely in-depth review I published at MusicPlayers.com, you'll get a very specific idea of how to hook it up and incorporate it into a modern rig.

http://www.musicplayers.com/reviews/guitars/2010/0110_TCelectronicGsystem.php

Scott
p.s. Laird's document is of great value for anyone hooking up a G-System in the 4-cable scenario.
Click to expand...

Nice rig man.

I~ve got a small question for you:

Does your RG-16 change your tone at all compared to strait in the amp?

Do you use the buffer on it?

I have one also and find that it changes my tone a bit, i stopped using it for loops and i just use it to switch my amps.

Thanks,

Chris
 
I have never experienced any tone loss with the RG-16, either in my various rigs (the rack one pictured, and also one with a Mesa/Boogie Dual Recto Road King II). Yes, I use the buffered input.

I also use the shortest possible cables. My rigs are wired up with George L's cable custom-sized as needed in each rig.

I don't know why you would experience tone loss -- when all the loops are bypassed, that is. If the loops are engaged, then you're at the mercy of the pedals you put in there.

If you don't need the audio loops, I'd recommend just getting the Amp Gizmo from RJM... it's just that left half of the RG-16, basically.

Scott
 
I use the RJM Mini Amp Gizmo with my G-System to switch the channels on my 5150 III. Works great.
 
scottkahn":38inb1qz said:
I have never experienced any tone loss with the RG-16, either in my various rigs (the rack one pictured, and also one with a Mesa/Boogie Dual Recto Road King II). Yes, I use the buffered input.

I also use the shortest possible cables. My rigs are wired up with George L's cable custom-sized as needed in each rig.

I don't know why you would experience tone loss -- when all the loops are bypassed, that is. If the loops are engaged, then you're at the mercy of the pedals you put in there.

If you don't need the audio loops, I'd recommend just getting the Amp Gizmo from RJM... it's just that left half of the RG-16, basically.

Scott
Click to expand...


I`m bypassing the buffer, so i`ll try it with it in the chain, i`ll see. And i meant when all loops are off, bypassing the pedals.

Me too all my cable are the shortest possible and all are custom cut to lenght. I use Mogami with Neutrik connectors.

I need the audio loops, i`ve got my auto wah, compressor,overdrive and phase 90 that i need in front. I also just bought a POG 2 that i wanna throw in there.

I`ll retry it later and see.

Thanks for your input.

Chris
 
victim5150":21r8vpkq said:
I use the RJM Mini Amp Gizmo with my G-System to switch the channels on my 5150 III. Works great.
Click to expand...


I also use it to switch a 5153, works flawlessly, except for the loop wich is always on, but i`ve got a Decimator and an EQ in the loop, so it ai`nt a problem.

Chris
 
I had a TC G Sys and the only reason why I sold it was because I needed money to get my 20th A XTC. Great unit, I also had the TC Nova Drive and special "Y" midi cable to work with the G. The only thing I didn't like was I couldn't dial in the phase or flange the way I liked it but that was my "lack of " not the G sys and it is easier to program on a laptop.

I ran mine in the 4 cable config with the Eggy Mod50 or 100 but had to use an Ebtech LLS because the Eggy was to hot. It was noiseless and very transparent. One of my Fav.
 
Been considering one myself. Anybody compare the regular version with PGS's limited version with the input buffer?
 
victim5150":10qu9n93 said:
G-Systemwithstickers.jpg
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I'm curious about the button labeled "EVH CHAN 3" . . . that button is one of only three buttons whose function cannot be changed (the other two being the UP and DOWN buttons) . . . How are you using it as a channel select? :confused:
 
HughJasol":2gsrr6ky said:
victim5150":2gsrr6ky said:
G-Systemwithstickers.jpg
Click to expand...
I'm curious about the button labeled "EVH CHAN 3" . . . that button is one of only three buttons whose function cannot be changed (the other two being the UP and DOWN buttons) . . . How are you using it as a channel select? :confused:
Click to expand...
It's the weirdest damn thing. It shouldn't channel switch on that button like you mentioned. I stumbled upon a setting when I was setting up the other buttons for channel switching. Something in the Midi section where you can tell the Tap Tempo button to still send a Midi number to my mini amp gizmo that corresponds to the EVH channel 3. If you tap the Tap Tempo button 3 times in a row it will switch the amp to channel 3! Or whatever channel number corresponds to the mini amp gizmo which I believe are 88, 89 and 90 for channels 1,2 and 3. Strange I know. I've asked about it on the G-System forum and no one seems to be able to explain it. I virtually never use it that way though. I use it as the tap tempo and hold for tuner. Most of my presets are by default set for channel 3 so if I switch to the clean channel while in a preset that has channel 3 set by default I just have to tap that preset button again and it goes back to channel 3 again. I probably just confused you even more. :doh: it's late I just got home from a show and I'm sicker than a dog.
 
victim5150":z2rrvikm said:
HughJasol":z2rrvikm said:
I'm curious about the button labeled "EVH CHAN 3" . . . that button is one of only three buttons whose function cannot be changed (the other two being the UP and DOWN buttons) . . . How are you using it as a channel select? :confused:
Click to expand...
It's the weirdest damn thing. It shouldn't channel switch on that button like you mentioned. I stumbled upon a setting when I was setting up the other buttons for channel switching. Something in the Midi section where you can tell the Tap Tempo button to still send a Midi number to my mini amp gizmo that corresponds to the EVH channel 3. If you tap the Tap Tempo button 3 times in a row it will switch the amp to channel 3! Or whatever channel number corresponds to the mini amp gizmo which I believe are 88, 89 and 90 for channels 1,2 and 3. Strange I know. I've asked about it on the G-System forum and no one seems to be able to explain it. I virtually never use it that way though. I use it as the tap tempo and hold for tuner. Most of my presets are by default set for channel 3 so if I switch to the clean channel while in a preset that has channel 3 set by default I just have to tap that preset button again and it goes back to channel 3 again. I probably just confused you even more. :doh: it's late I just got home from a show and I'm sicker than a dog.
Click to expand...
Cool . . . I'll have to investigate that some more! :yes: Hope you're feeling better . . . Thanks! :rock:
 
I considered the G-System for the longest time, but as the number of effects I was using became less and less, I couldn't justify the expense. Now I have what I call a "Home-made Bradshaw" rack with mostly Power, EQ, and switching in the rack. I really SHOULD get a drawer for the pedals because right now they're just sitting in the bottom of the rack. I'm swapping out the OD-20 that I was really only using for the BD-2 model for a new ST-2 power stack. Great-sounding pedal.

This is the new setup. All of my MIDI-capable heads are set up with patches in the same order so I don't have to re-program if/when I switch heads. I have separate snakes for the non-MIDI-switching heads, so all I have to do is connect the appropriate (pre-labeled) snake to the switching system and I can control any head-combo. I have it set up so 1-5 are patch recall switches and 6-15 are instant access switches that do everything from switching the dynamic range on the Vintage Modern (momentary switching, totally stupid) to changing the channel/OD/gear/solo on a Splawn Quick Rod, to fully-MIDI-controlling a Mesa Mark V. A quite versatile setup. However, with the acquisition of my Diezel Herbert, I envision a LOT of my gear going away.

Stay tuned...

Rig2010_6.jpg
 
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